A weekly snippet of what’s happening ‘behind the hedge’ at Mercedes College…
This week, our College community celebrated Shrove Tuesday with the traditional sharing of pancakes, in preparation for Ash Wednesday and the 40-day period of Lent.
Our Ash Wednesday Liturgy explored the purpose of Lent as a time for reflecting on fasting, prayer, and giving.
We also officially launched our Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion campaign, and encourage our community to dig deep and help us to help Caritas Australia, in their efforts to support people from around Australia and the world.
Project Compassion collection boxes will be available in classrooms and Reception desks throughout Lent.
Nominations for winter sport are now open, giving students the opportunity to explore something new, participate socially, or pursue elite performance in one of our many sporting co-curricular extension activities (CEAs).
Click here and enter the email address associated with your SEQTA account, and you will receive your unique link that will take you through to your child’s sporting nomination options for their Year Level.
As part of students’ commitment to participating in Sport CEAs, you will be prompted to acknowledge that you and your child have read our 2026 Sport Handbook and agree to its presentation expectations and behaviour standards. This is an important part of how students represent themselves and Mercedes College, when playing against other schools. The next step will then take you through to the payment section.
We look forward to cheering on our winter sport teams in Terms 2 and 3!
We know that every student’s journey at Mercedes College is unique, depending on their interests, passions and learning styles. Our staff work alongside students to advise on a range of diverse and future-focused pathways to provide as many opportunities as possible as they travel through the middle and senior years of schooling.
This week, we welcomed Chair of the SA Skills Commission, Commissioner Cameron Baker, to discuss the most up-to-date Vocational Education and Training (VET), and apprenticeship opportunities that are open to our Senior students. These enable them to undertake ‘real-life’ learning, develop industry-relevant skills, and make informed transitions into careers, further education, or training.
Commissioner Baker was particularly excited about the spotlight that will be cast on these pathways, as Adelaide prepares to host the WorldSkills Australia Championships in 2027.
If you would like to learn more about these pathway options, contact Student Pathways Coordinator, Sarah Hartlett.
Mercedes College Playgroup has returned with the new school year, and our little ones and their families are already enjoying the activities, connections, and memories that come from this weekly session.
Held in our OSHC room and the surrounding play spaces, Playgroup is held every Thursday morning during Term – if you or someone you know would like to join us, simply email the Playgroup Team with your contact details and we’ll be in touch.
Sessions are run from 9.00am to 10.30am, with a small fee of $5 per child per session, which you can pay as you go.
We hope to see you there!
We can’t wait to see our community come together tomorrow evening for the 2026 Garden Party!
We’ll have two food trucks serving up delicious fresh food on site – you can pre-order your meals to guarantee your first preference… or just come along and buy on the day!
We will hear from some of our talented music students, sample some Small Gully Wines, and enjoy free sno cones for everyone!
It all kicks off at 4pm…
See you there!
We are delighted to let you know that we have a full contingent of Year Level Representatives (YLRs) for 2026. We have a couple of spots in Year 11 and Year 9 still, so there is still time to put your hands up if you’d like to be part of this group.
The main role of a YLR is to connect with families in their Year Level. They are also supporters and promoters of College events, such as the Garden Party, Mother’s Day and Quiz Night.
If there are any questions families have relating to other activities – like excursions, uniforms, sporting fixtures, performances, learning reviews – the best place to get that information is via our College communication platforms: SEQTA Engage App, Parent Hub on the website, or Stack Team App.
The best way for families to meet and stay connected through their child’s time at the College, is attending College events, going along to Coffee Catch-ups (often after drop off) or through casual gatherings, like a play date in the park on a weekend or parent dinners at a local pub.
We know life gets busy – and in amongst all the activities and emails, our YLRs are keen to be a connector and conduit for community. We’ll be in touch by email with contact lists soon.
Hopefully, we will see you at our Garden Party tomorrow, from 4pm in the Rose Garden. Even if you can just drop by for a while before the weekend begins – it will be lovely to have you there!
Last week, our highest achieving graduates from the Class of 2025 returned to Campus in celebration of their hard work and achievements in Year 12.
Sharing in the celebration of their outstanding results, were our Year 8 to Year 12 students, and proud family and friends.
To achieve the status of Laureate, a student must achieve an ATAR of 90 or higher, and/or receive an academic Merit. For the Class of 2025, this was achieved by 33 graduates, including our IB Diploma Duces Harry Densley and James Haskard, our proxime accessit, Fyn Mitchell, and our SACE and College Dux, Jia Wang.
In his speech as College Dux, Jia advised students to treat their important final years as a marathon – keeping a steady pace from the beginning, whilst still focusing on the finish line, and keeping your peers, family and supporters by your side.
Congratulations to our Laureates, and the whole Class of 2025 for your wonderful achievements. We wish you all the best as you take on your next adventure – and remind you that you are always welcome at Mercedes College.
Late last week, our Year 7 students gathered in Gleeson Theatre to watch a powerful performance by Brainstorm Productions called Verbal Combat.
This dramatic presentation explored social media use, cyberbullying, friendships, and mental health, bringing to life many of the online challenges young people face. The production also reinforced the importance of empathy, respect, and responsible digital behaviour, which strongly align with our Mercy Keys.
Students were highly engaged and had the chance to participate in a post-performance Q&A with the artists. They discussed bystander behaviour, online choices, and personal responsibility.
A very timely and relevant experience for our Year 7 students.
Music continues to go from strength to strength at Mercedes College, with opportunities opening up in our new orchestra, various bands and ensembles.
You can register your child’s interest in learning vocal technique or an instrument with a private tutor, and they can attend lessons on Campus during school days – simply complete this form and the Performing Arts Team will be in touch.
If your child wants to learn flute, clarinet, or saxophone, you can apply for complimentary instrumental lessons and instrument hire. Eligible students must be in Year 5 or above and committed to joining either our Stage Band or Concert Band.
Our community is also invited to join the fun and energy of the Performing Arts at the College. We are looking for people who are keen to share their experience and expertise in our co-curricular programmes. If you’d like to be part of working alongside our students in a range of creative activities, please contact Director of Performing Arts, Jayan Mace.
Earlier this week, our First XI Cricket team took part in a Statewide Knockout competition and had to persist through several downpours.
Our boys struggled to build momentum in their batting partnerships, and ultimately couldn’t outrun Heathfield High, but they showed great sportsmanship and promise as they continue to hone their skills under the guidance of our Director of Cricket, Adelaide Strikers wicketkeeper, Harry Nielsen.
A special shout out to Elliot (Year 12, Barry) for hitting 18 runs off 9 balls, and Henry (Year 12, Barry) for taking two wickets for just 9 runs. Howzat!
We are looking forward to seeing this team build over the coming weeks.
There has been a flurry of sporting achievements by our students, that we’d love to share…
Isaac (Year 10, Barry) is currently representing South Australia at the International Judo Opens competition, before heading to a Judo Australia camp at the Australian Institute of Sport.
Sofia (Year 10, Dalton), Sienna (Year 9, Dalton), Clementine (Year 9, Barry), and Sage (Year 7, Fitzpatrick) are hitting the courts in Brisbane this week, at the Indoor State Netball Championships.
Ben (Year 9, McAuley) will head to Western Australia next week to compete in the South Australia U15s National Cricket tournament.
Jensen (Year 10, Dalton) will soon be receiving his National Title at the Motorsport Australia Awards Night before showing off his driving skills at this year’s Adelaide Motorsport Festival.
Congratulations to all of you – what a diverse range of skills and achievements!
More upcoming activities can be found on the College Calendar.
